Directors & Consultants

Michael A Way FCIM FCMI - director

Mike Way's early experience with Proctor & Gamble equipped him for a dynamic career in business.

His experience is extensive and high-powered, having held senior positions, mainly at Board level

• Marketing Director of the health food division of Booker-McConnell
• Managing Director of Brobat the brand leader bleach manufacturer
• Managing Director of Dyno-Rod from 1973

As MD of Dyno-Rod, Mike Way dramatically expanded the company and developed many innovative marketing and management techniques that are now emulated throughout the franchise industry.

He lectures widely and teaches at business schools. He has many notable achievements and his inspirational effect is widely acknowledged and respected. His reputation is one of 'making things happen'.

Mike Way's style of consultancy is exceptional: he immerses himself in his client's business, playing an active and dynamic role - a style that has had resounding success.

David Tonchin FInst SMM - director

David Tonchin has extensive business and operational experience and after qualifying as an engineer in the UK, he began his career in North America.

Cincinnati Machine Tool Company, playing a significant role in developing a distributor network throughout the US and Canada before returning to the UK. Managing Director of Mister Minit, the UK arm of one of the world's largest service companies with concessions and stores in over 20 countries. He introduced instant key cutting in heel bars in the UK.

General Manager of Dyno-Rod he developed the One-Man-Van concept within the core business, and applied it to the Company's plumbing, electrics and locks divisions. He also played a part in the introduction of computerised call handling.

Marketing Controller at Dairy Crest, designing, planning and implementing the milk industry's largest business format franchise conversion programme. Over 1,600 franchisees were recruited in 3 years. Development Director of Vendo PLC, the largest truck washing franchise in Europe, he set up master franchises in France and Belgium. David is a graduate of the Crosby Quality College.

Jon Hill - director

Jon Hill's forward thinking ideas and entrepreneurial business skills have led to him managing, creating, owning and subsequently selling a number of successful businesses. His senior level experience includes:

• Business Manager of Hampstead and Highgate Express - Home Counties Newspaper Group
• Owner of Wilfred Neal Ltd. Building Renovation Company specializing in cottages. The company ran for ten years and was successfully sold in 1984
• Owner of Michael K. Howard Ltd. Advertising Agency which became one of the largest UK based agencies employing over 180 staff. In 2005 the company was sold for £12m.

Since 2005 Jon has been integral in expanding the 'Garage Conversion Company' a successful franchise operation converting domestic garages into living space and now the UK's leading specialist in this field. Additionally Jon also has interests in substantial property development projects in Bulgaria.

Jon Hill brings a wealth of experience to the team, a down-to-earth approach to business and has excellent contacts in the Financial and Investment sectors.

Tim Mott - director

Tim Mott enjoys a challenge, and with business experience built through hands on management in both the corporate world and the franchise Industry in the UK, he has developed a "We don't have problems....only solutions" attitude to business and those clients and colleagues that work with him.

Tim started his career with Merchant Bankers Chase Manhattan Bank, gaining a good knowledge of fundamental financial and corporate structures.

He broke into the franchise market piloting, and then developing the automotive franchise brand Autoglym, resulting in total UK coverage and a well developed and sound network of franchisees.

Working with many franchisors over recent years helping the development of individuals and corporate business, Tim finds the best route forward for his clients based upon his own experience and his investigative nature.

A former client of Franchise Your Business (whilst at Autoglym), Tim understands the requirements of the relationship between consultant and client.

Mike Gratwick - consultant

Began his career in advertising and marketing with Foote Cone and Belding before embarking on an outstanding career on retailing during which he worked for major retailers such as the John Lewis Partnership and The Burton Group (now known as Arcadia).

His Franchise experience spans:

• Working with Coppernob as Commercial Director with responsibility for Franchising.
• Six years as a Specialist Retail Consultant with Cfm Consulting (now Franchise Your Business) before being head-hunted to join Hammicks Bookshops with the specific brief to launch the first ever book retailing Franchise.
• He rejoined Franchise Your Business Ltd following on the take-over of Hammicks by Ottakers Books in 2003.

Retail is detail and this maxim personifies Mike Gratwick's approach to Franchise Consultancy where he has built an enviable reputation.

James Eades - consultant

James Eades has extensive franchise experience on both an operational and business level. He began his career establishing and acting as Operations Director of Best Computer Training, an Oxfordshire-based computer training Franchise company. He helped to evolve Best into the second largest such company in the UK, building it from one training centre up to 48 across the UK in five years. Best was runner-up in the British Franchise Association (BFA) Newcomer of the Year Awards in 2001.

He was an Area Manager for LearnDirect, the government-sponsored training and learning organisation, with responsible for managing a £1m contract to deliver training at centres across a wide area of central England.

Using his expertise in Franchise contract, promotion and training, James then became Franchise Development Manager for one of the largest Franchised Plumbing networks in the UK. Dealing with a large portfolio of roles and responsibilities, James advised them on all aspects of Franchising in a fast-growth business.

He left to become Business Services Manager of the British Franchise Association where he was responsible for acquiring new members for the Association and overseeing the re-branding of the BFA. He also delivered many seminars for the BFA including the BFA's Grow Your Business Through Franchising seminar as well The Approach Franchising With Confidence seminar.

His prime roles in Franchise Your Business Ltd are to advise new and established UK businesses on Franchising from feasibility through to launch and ongoing support in managing Franchise networks.

With his wide ranging computer experience James is well placed to advise how best to maximise the power of the Internet in developing and building Franchised businesses.

Rob Thomas - consultant

Rob, has lived, worked, and owned a variety of businesses in the Gloucestershire area. Rob has been a franchisee and has started and developed his own successful businesses and so he understands the challenges of growing a small and medium sized business.

Rob has a Masters Degree in business (MBA) from the University of Gloucestershire. He has also worked as a business adviser for Business Link Gloucestershire and specialises in marketing and business development. Rob utilises his own practical experiences of owning his own businesses, the network of contacts whilst working with Business Link and the academic processes learnt at university, to help and guide all industries of business.

When not working, Rob likes to play football, keen on photography and enjoys travelling.

Peter Brown - consultant

A graduate in Business Studies, Peter began his business career in financial services with NatWest, and then moved to the leasing arm of the Merchant Bank Schroders where he held a number of sales, marketing and management position over 15 years with the company.

His corporate background and experience held him in good stead to run the franchising operation in the UK and Europe for Hire Intelligence, an Australian computer rental business, for several years. This included responsibility for:

• The recruitment, support and training of new franchisees
• Operations manual compilation
• Franchise area demographics
• National advertising
• Liaison with intermediaries such as banks, BFA and key suppliers

In 2001 he moved on to set up his own business within the cleaning services industry, providing carpet, window and office cleaning in the south-east of England.

In short, Peter has sat on both sides of the fence and can empathise with prospective franchisors and franchisees alike, and brings an organised, pragmatic and positive approach to the table.

Outside of work, Peter is a keen sports enthusiast and regular visitor to his local gym. Any additional spare time is taken up by 2 teenage children and a border collie!